But when USC players report to training camp today, the Trojans will be more balanced than usual.

“The drama as the competition begins, who takes charge of the spots?” USC coach Pete Carroll said. “I’m seeing a lot of guys playing as starters with a lot of rotations, whether it’s wide receiver, tailback, the offensive line or secondary.”

The Trojans’ balance might make them impervious to last year’s injury problems, which came around the time of the stunning loss to Stanford.

“If you feel like you have a couple starters and one guy gets nicked, you might feel like it’s not as devastating,” Carroll said.

Although the quarterback position drew the most attention last spring, junior Mark Sanchez might actually be more secure than most of the other skill players. He is the clear No. 1 ahead of sophomore Mitch Mustain as training camp begins.

“Mark’s ahead based on his years and has a real edge,” Carroll said.

Without a bevy of stars, it might actually help team unity, according to offensive tackle Butch Lewis.

“I think we’re closer as a team,” Lewis said. “We’re focused on knowing what we want this year.”

What the Trojans want is a trip to the BCS title game. USC last won a national title in 2004 and only a handful of the current players participated in the Trojans’ last title appearance, the loss to Texas in the Rose Bowl.

“People say we need to get back where we were,” Lewis said. “We need to get to Miami (site of Dolphin Stadium, where the 2009 BCS title game will be held). That’s all we want.”

Lewis will be a key component of any USC success because the offensive line is the biggest question mark, with every starter but Jeff Byers gone from last season’s team. Lewis made a handful of starts in place of the injured Sam Baker last season but he knows the line is under scrutiny.

For example, starting center Kris O’Dowd started the first three games last season before a knee injury sidelined him.

“We lost four starters but they played enough football to be confident and everyone knows enough to have a good line,” Carroll said. “There’s still a lot of uncertainty with playing time. But we’re encouraged and excited.”

Another question mark is wide receiver. USC could start six players (Patrick Turner, Vidal Hazelton, David Ausberry, Ronald Johnson, Damian Williams) but whether anyone emerges to play consistently is the tough answer.

Last year, the receiving corps lacked a go-to player.

“We hope a lot of guys contribute and fit roles,” Carroll said. “I’m interested to see how it plays out. I feel like we have a young team but a lot of guys have played.”

The wild card is tailback Joe McKnight, who will also line up as a receiver, which Reggie Bush frequently did.

Last year, USC relied on veterans like Baker, Lawrence Jackson, Keith Rivers and John David Booty for leadership. Although experienced, they were also fairly quiet.

By contrast, this season’s leaders – Sanchez, defensive tackle Fili Moala along with safeties Taylor Mays and Kevin Ellison – are considered more outspoken among their teammates, so the attitude of the Trojans could be different.

“When these guys talk, they do it from a position of respect, so it doesn’t really bother anyone,” Lewis said.

NOTABLE

Freshman offensive lineman Daniel Campbell did not qualify and will not attend USC this year. He is enrolled at Hargreaves Military Academy and will be free to attend any college afterward. … Tailback Curtis McNeal of Venice and defensive end Nick Perry will not report today. They are still waiting to submit all the required academic materials to the NCAA Clearinghouse. … USC announced all its home games are sold out this season. The Nov. 1 game against Washington was the final game to sell out Monday. … The Trojans open practice Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. and practice Thursday-Saturday at 3 p.m. Practices are open to the public.

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